The pick of the prices at Newmarket....

Wednesday, 17th April 2024

The pick of the prices at Newmarket….

There’s good racing – televised on ITV – at Newmarket and Cheltenham this afternoon….

I’m targeting three races….

…. and if you missed those selections yesterday….

…. you can pick them up here….

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The prominent racers had the best of it up the straight at Newmarket yesterday….

…. it proved difficult for the hold-up horses to close….

…. and that’s a clue worth factoring into your deliberations for tomorrow’s bet365 Handicap (1.50) – a 6f sprint handicap for the 3yos….

Let’s be honest about it….

…. these kinds of races – especially at this early stage of the season – are a bit of a guessing game….

…. you need to do a fair bit of reading between the lines….

…. and you need to take one or two matters – at least – on trust….

I’m looking for a horse that likes to go forward….

…. a horse that will appreciate the good ground….

…. and – of course – a horse that is well-handicapped….

The problem with that last statement is that a large proportion of these young and unexposed horses are likely well behind where they will eventually plateau on the official rating scale….

…. but no matter – as punters we must deal with it how it is….

Price is the other consideration, of course….

…. I want something that ticks the right kind of boxes AND something that offers a reasonable reward for my risk….

Peter Chapple-Hyam’s NORTH VIEW at the 16s is the one that makes most appeal….

On all the evidence we’ve seen to date – he’ll be going forward early….

…. he won’t mind the surface….

…. and I reckon he’s going to prove generously handicapped on a mark of just 80….

On his track debut last term he was 3rd in an Ascot maiden won by Indian Run – now rated 105 and sitting on a 2000 Guineas entry….

That one won with a bit to spare – for sure – but North View was only 1.75 lengths in arrears at the post – off levels….

…. and I’m mindful that Indian Run had already had a track appearance – giving him an experience edge….

The second horse home that day logged an RPR of 89 when winning a novice event at Leicester next time out…

North View will need to do it first-time-up, of course – and you never know how forward or not anybody’s string is at this time of the year with so little form in the book….

I can understand why the discriminating handicap punter might give this contest the swerve….

…. but at 16s I’m willing to swing the bat at a horse that – in theory – ticks the right kind of boxes….

• Finally….

That’s all for today….

I’ll be back after the weekend….

Meanwhile – Contact me direct at nick.pullen@oxonpress.co.uk  

And remember – win, lose or draw – enjoy the racing….

Stay tuned….

Against the Crowd